Category Archives: Recent News

Jacob Vander Molen (pamphlet) served on COC’s Board from 1973-1979, while his son Larry (left) served from 1995-2001, and Larry’s son Troy (right) is in the first year of his second three-year term

Christian Opportunity Center has been around for nearly 47 years and for 16 years and counting the Vander Molen family has been represented on the organization’s Board of Directors.

Jacob Vander Molen joined COC’s Board of Directors in 1973, only four years after the organization was founded. He remained in that role for two three-year terms. Sixteen years later, Jacob’s son Larry was elected to COC’s Board of Directors, also serving two three-year terms. And 11 years after that, Larry’s son Troy was named to COC’s Board and is in the first year of his second three-year term.

“I knew how much dad enjoyed being a part of COC’s Board, so that influenced my decision to be a part of it,” said Troy. “His involvement increased my interest in the organization.”

Troy and Larry do not know much about Jacob’s tenure, but many people can vouch for his servant heart and positive attitude.

Jake, as he was known, was a farmer, cattle buyer, and clerk. He founded Peoria Stockyards in 1946 and remained with the business for 25 years. Jake and his wife Nellie lived in Peoria for more than 40 years before moving to Pella in 1987. He passed away in 2002 at the age of 87.

Jacob Vander Molen, who passed away in 2002, served on COC’s Board from 1973-1979

Jake’s legacy carried on through his three children and their spouses, 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. And it carried on through COC’s Board as well.

Troy and Larry joined COC’s Board after being invited to serve on one of COC’s committees. Both were excited for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.

“I have a real soft spot in my heart for the people supported,” said Larry. “They’re wonderful people. If everybody in America loved their jobs like the people at COC, it would be a different America. It’s great to see.”

“I believe in the sanctity of human life and everyone is made in God’s image and deserves to be treated with respect and honor,” Troy said. “I think that the population of people served at COC don’t always get that from everyone. It’s nice to find a way for them to be productive and happy members of society. The mission of the organization matches that well.”

Larry followed in his dad’s footsteps professionally as well, farming for 27 years before moving to Pella prior to Troy’s high school career. Larry sold cars and insurance for many years before transitioning to part-time employment at Precision Pulley & Idler.

In addition to serving on COC’s Board, Larry also served on the COC Golf Classic Committee for 13 years and the COC Foundation Board for six years, soliciting for the organization’s annual fundraiser. And 13 years resulted in many stories.

“One year, I was challenged by some friends to wear my bib overalls and my green John Deere shoes to church on Sunday morning,” said Larry. “And my wife had to be with me. If I did, they would donate $500 to COC. In the end, I wore it proudly and they collected $700.

“And every year, I took my green John Deere tool box and my red Farmall tool box to the In’t Veld’s coffee timers and Happy Joe’s coffee timers to raise funds for COC. We ended up with as much as $2,350 in a single year; they are very generous groups.”

As a local business owner, Troy sees COC’s impact on the community. The CEO, CFO, Partner, and Physical Therapist at Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy learned about disabilities growing up and the experience stuck with him.

“I had a friend with intellectual disabilities in school,” Troy said. “As a physical therapist, I work with many people with disabilities. I see how a person can flourish if given the opportunity.

“I feel strongly about supporting local organizations. COC is a great representative of the town of Pella, where I call home and where my business calls home.”

Board meetings rotate between COC’s office locations and incorporate continuing education and awareness into the agenda.

“When we gather, we get the chance to see one of the homes or the factories,” said Troy. “We get to visit with people supported and employees. We get to see the community. Any individual that has the opportunity to see it and experience it will have a heart for it.

“There’s no more fulfilling work than the work being done at COC.”

“It’s great that we have people that enjoy working with the people supported,” said Larry. “It’s such a rewarding job.”

And Troy and Larry recommend getting involved at COC and making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. But it’s a mutually beneficial relationship.

“COC is a great organization and you get more blessings out of it yourself than you give to others,” Larry said. “It was an incredible opportunity; it’s a great thing to be a part of.”

“My experience has been really positive,” said Troy. “It’s not a sacrifice for me to do it. COC is an organization that I greatly respect and having that first-hand knowledge of how it operates only strengthens what I felt before I joined.

“I just want to thank everyone who has committed their lives to fulfilling COC’s mission. It’s truly a blessing.”

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to more than 300 people with disabilities in Dallas, Mahaska, Marion, Polk and Warren counties. COC’s mission is to integrate Christian values in teaching skills for life. For more information on COC and its services visit https://christianopportunity.org/.

Emily Sutherland at Indianola High School’s Awards Night on May 19

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) has selected Indianola High School’s Emily Sutherland as the 2016 Sarah M. Braun Memorial Scholarship recipient.

Named in honor of the late daughter of COC Executive Director Rod Braun and his wife Robin and made possible by the COC Foundation Fund, the $1,000 scholarship is presented to a high school senior pursuing an academic focus in human services.

An Ackworth native and member of Farmers Chapel United Methodist Church, Sutherland plans to major in elementary education at Central College beginning in the fall of 2016.

Criteria for the scholarship include academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and personal character and personality. Applications for the scholarship are accepted from all COC service areas.

Daughter of Rodney and Doreen, Sutherland holds a 3.879 cumulative GPA and has received Green Hand, Chapter, and Iowa Degrees from Future Farmers of America and is a member of the National Honor Society, organizations devoted to leadership and service.

A part-time employee at Hy-Vee, Sutherland has led Sunday School and volunteered at the Good Samaritan Center throughout her high school career. She has also contributed to Indianola High School’s Toys for Tots program, packaged meals for Warren County residents, provided food and supplies for Helping Hand, and gathered supplies for the people of Nigeria.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to more than 300 people with disabilities in Dallas, Mahaska, Marion, Polk and Warren counties. For more information, visit www.christianopportunity.org.

Willa Branderhorst celebrated 35 years at COC and received an iPad and wireless keyboard as a gift

Christian Opportunity Center living skills advisor Willa Branderhorst reflected on her 35 years with the organization…in her own words.

Before working at the Christian Opportunity Center, we fostered a girl for four years who worked in COC’s Pella workshop. She then moved into COC’s new cottage that housed 15 adults and I was hired shortly after. I worked in that cottage until it closed and then transitioned to one of the four-person homes that COC purchased.

I still work there to this day.

It is very rewarding to help people reach their God-given potential.

For my 35 years of service, I received an iPad and a wireless keyboard as a gift from COC. It arrived just two days before my daughter and family from Missouri visited for Tulip Time, so they were able to help me set it up and teach me how to use it.

I’m enjoying it very much and I feel very appreciated.

COC Administrative Associate Christina Edsall at the Campus Compact Conference inside the Boston, Mass., Sheraton Hotel

Christian Opportunity Center Administrative Associate Christina Edsall presented alongside representatives from Central College at the March 20-23 Campus Compact 30th Anniversary Conference in Boston, Mass.

Edsall, who also serves as COC’s Volunteer Coordinator, teamed up with Central’s Cheri Doane, Peggy Fitch, and Linda Laine to discuss COC and Central’s efforts during the four-day conference inside the Sheraton Hotel. Doane is the Director of the Center for Community-Based Learning, Fitch is the Vice President for Student Development, and Laine is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies.

The group presented on the topic of Using Dialogue to Deepen Partnership Impact. Through a panel format, they shared their experiences of a mutually transformational partnership that is accelerating change for both the college and community. Edsall shared general information about COC, services COC provides, and provided a history of its partnership with Central, describing the impact of volunteer experiences on both Central students and people supported by COC.

“It was great to be able to share about COC’s partnership with Central,” Edsall said. “Other organizations were able to learn from what we do and apply it in their communities.

“This trip also strengthened our relationship with Central, as I was able to learn more about the challenges facing the college and they were able to learn more about the challenges facing COC. It gave us a better perspective and greater appreciation for one another.”

Following the panel session, Edsall was able to attend additional seminars and see the sights. COC Executive Director Rod Braun said this conference may open the door for Edsall to attend and contribute to future conferences in the state of Iowa and beyond.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to more than 300 people with disabilities in Dallas, Mahaska, Marion, Polk and Warren counties. COC’s mission is to integrate Christian values in teaching skills for life. For more information on COC and its services visit https://christianopportunity.org/.

Bre Brooks, Human Resources Director

Following a comprehensive search process, Christian Opportunity Center has promoted Bre Brooks to Human Resources Director after seven years with the organization in two different positions.

Brooks began her time at COC as a Human Resources Associate in the winter of 2008. After 17 months, Brooks transferred to Program Coordinator, a position she has held for the past six years.

Brooks will manage human resources at COC beginning Wednesday, Feb. 3.

“I am looking forward to new and exciting challenges and the opportunity to grow with the organization,” Brooks said. “I am also eager to interact with staff more regularly, especially with training new hires.”

COC’s mission is to integrate Christian values in teaching skills for life.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to nearly 300 people with disabilities in Dallas, Mahaska, Marion, Polk and Warren counties. For more information on COC and its services visit https://christianopportunity.org/.